Bending machine



SENDING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1940 I fz'sneets-she et 1 o as I' I g fZ 53 Z I r 63 I g 1 7* 1" v 6 "I- I w I v l0 a v as I 761* .2 74L 76 IJWAWIOA, A I faaizrrflq/irma 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BENDING MACHINE R. A.GIFFORD Filed March 22, 1940 Agrin, 1942.

Patented Apr. 7, 1942 STATES PAT Nr OFFICE, 1

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for arcuately curvingangle irons, and particularly to machines adapted to curve such ironsand concurrently at option incline or straighten up the legs of theangles relatively to theplane in which such bending is done toaccomplish a conical or frusto-cylindrical structure.

In bending or straightening angles and other shapes it is well known touse three sets of rollers having substantially parallel axes and toadjust the positioning of the center one of these axes relatively to theother two thereof, in order to accomplish either bending orstraightening as the case may be. Some of these machines have additionalmeans for contacting the sides or edges of the angle in a plane at rightangles to the plane of the bend to insure that the resulting bent anglehas one plane and one cylindrical surface. It is also well known inbending and straightening mills to have rolls with frusto-conicalsurface at right angles one to the other, and to provide means fordriving certain of the rolls.

The objects of the present invention are:

To provide a bending machine which is adjustable to accomplish thearcuate curving of an angle iron to any desired radius.

To providea bending machine which will-bend an angle with one legradially inward, or radially outward and the other leg upward ordownward therefrom, to desired curvature.

To provide a bending machine which may be adjusted to bend an angl todesired curvature with one leg lying substantially along a plane and theother leg thereof cylindrically curved, or

which at option may be adjusted to curve said angle with its legs lyingalong complementary frusto-conical surfaces.

To provide a bending machine having three pairs of rolls, one of saidpairs being adjustable relative to the other, in which the three pairsof rolls are driven at equal speeds.

To provide a bending machine having roll in pairs relatively adjustablefor angle thickness, and having one pair of said rolls adjustablerelatively to the other pairs thereof in directions at right angles toeach other to respectively vary the curvature of the are along whichsaid angle is rolled and accomplish a desired inclination of the legs ofsaid angle to the plane of the arc in which said angle is rolled. Toprovide in an angle bending machine means for adjusting the angularinclination of the legs of the angle with respect to the plane ofcurvature;.and; i

To provide means for driving the bending rolls, and means forcoordinating the speed at which the rolls are driven.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished, andthe manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from thefollowing specification on reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation taken along the transverse center lineof the machine, being the line I--I of Fig. ,2, showing the means foradjusting the positioning of the center set of rolls to accomplishbending, the means for adjusting the rolls to accomplish variation inthe angle of inclination of the legs of the angle, and the means fordriving the rolls.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the machine on the line IIIIII ofFig. 4.

Fig. 4 is. a sectional plan of the machine taken on the line IVIV ofFig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional side elevations of an angle bent into a ringwith the legs of the angle inclined to the plane of curvature, thehorizontal leg of the angle being turned outward and'the verticallegs-upward and downward respectively.

Figs. 7 and 3 are corresponding views showing the angle bent tosubstantially the same curvature, but with the horizontal legs of theangle turned inward.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals: j

I8 is a base having a top II in which are turn ably mounted a pair ofvertically disposed sleeves l2 spaced apart, these sleeves havingshoulder portions l3 which rest on theuppersurface of the base andsupport the sleeves, and being re tained from longitudinal displacementrelative to the base by collars or plates l4 suitably secured to theunder end of the sleeve.

Each of the sleeves l2 has an integral frame l5 which is inclinedsubstantially at an angle of forty-five degrees to the axis of thesleeve, in which frame a shaft I6 is suitably journalled. Forming anintegral part of, or rigidly secured on,'this shaft is a roll I! havingfrusto-conical surfaces A, B and C arranged in abutting relation, thesesurfaces having a cone angle of ninety degrees for standard ninetydegree angles, the smaller ends of thesurfaces A and B being of equaldiameter and abutting and the larger ends of the surfaces B and C beingof equal diameter and abutting, such roll types being well known.

Cooperating with theroll I! is a roll l8 having complementaryfrusto-conical surfaces, this roll being integral with, or rigidlysecured on, a shaft I9 which is parallel to the shaft I6 and is suitablyjournalled in a journal box 28. The journal box 20 is slidably mountedin the frame I for movement toward and away from the shaft I6, thismovement being accomplished as by a screw 2I manually operable and beingadapted to shift the two rolls closer together or further apart toaccommodate various thicknesses of angle iron.

Secured on the shaft I6 is a bevel gear 25 which meshes with a bevelpinion 26. The pinion 26 is secured on a vertical shaft 21 suitablyjournalled in the sleeve I2, a secondary sleeve 28 being introducedbetween the shaft 21 and sleeve I2 in order to accomplish theinstallationof the-pinion and its drive. The sleeve 23 is secured'against displacement by the plate I4. Secured on the outer end of theshaft 21 is a bevel gear 29, which meshes with a bevel pinion30, thispinion being suitably secured-on a shaft 3 I journalled in bearingportions 32, 33 of the frame I0 and extending exterior to the frame I 0.Secured on the outer end of the shaft 3|, is a gear 34, there being alike gear, similarly numbered, for the opposite drive and anintermediate gear 35 for driving the intermediate rolls, as will belater described. r The drive of one of the gears 34 and the gear 35 isaccomplished by a pinion 36 secured on. the shaft 31 of an electricmotor 38. v The remaining gear 34 is driven through the gear 35 and anidler 39, the pinion 36 and the idler 39,being of the same pitchdiameterand the gears 34, and the gear 35 being also of equal diameter,though preferably substantiallylarger than the pinions 36 and 39 toaccomplish reduction from the speed of the motor 38. v v V Disposedbetween the two sets of rolls I1 and I8 is an intermediate set of rolls45, 46, these rolls being respectively substantial duplicates of therolls I1, I8, and like these rolls having shafts 41, 48, the shaft 41being jouralled in a frame 49 inclined in similar manner as are theframes I5,

jandfthe shaft 48 being journalled in a'suitable box 50 corresponding tothe box and manually adjustable along the frame 49 by means of the screw5| to approach or move the roll 46 toward or away from the roll 45 asbefore.

Secured on the shafts I6 are gears I6A,

which intermesh with gears I 9--A on the shafts I9, the teeth of thegears being of extra length in orderthat they may intermesh with variedthicknesses of angle interposed between the rolls.

The shafts 41 and 48 are similarlyprovided with lntermeshing gears 41-A,48'A respectively.

1 The frame 49 has an integral shank 52, here shown' substantiallyrectangular to prevent turning, which is vertically slidable in acarrier 53, the shank'52 having vertical gibs 54, which slide incomplementary grooves in the carrier 53 to insure accurate verticalmovement. The carrier 53 is slidably mounted for horizontal movement onoppositely disposed horizontal guides or gibs 55 which are parallel tothe plane containing the axes of the rolls 45, 46 and permit shiftingmovement of these rolls in such plane. The-carrier 53 is provided withan elongated nut 56 which is rigidly secured thereto againstlongitudinal displacement, or which-may be integral therewith. Threadedinto the'nut is a screw 51 which is turnably mounted in the front wallof the base .III and which has collars 58 to prevent its longitudinaldisplacement. This screw is provided with a head 59 which may beengagedv and manuallyzoperated to shift the carrier 53 forward orbackward along the guides 55. The shank 52 of the frame 49 is internallythreaded, this threading for assembly purposes being in a sleeve 66which is rigidly secured in the base portion as by a transverse pin 6|.Threaded into the sleeve is a hollow screw 62 which is turnably mountedin a transverse part 63 of the carrier 53, the screw 62 having a flange64 which rests on the member 63 and supports the screw. Secured on thescrew below the part 63 is a bevel gear 65 which abuts the underside ofthe part and prevents upward movement of the screw. The gear 65 mesheswith a bevel pinion 66 which is secured on a shaft 61, turnably mountedin a portion of the frame 53. The shaft 61 extends freely through anopening 68 in the front wall of the base I0 and is squared to receive awrench so that it may be turned. to turn the screw and raise or lowerthe frame 49.

. 'I ILis a bevelgear secured on the shaft 41 and adapted to turn theroll45. Meshing with the gear; 10 is a bevel pinion H which is securedon a shaft 12 journalled in the hollow screw 62. The lower end of theshaft extends slidably through a bevel gear 13 and is additionallyjournalled in a bracket 16, 16--A forming part of the carrier 53, thebracket preventing vertical movement of the gear. The shaft 12 has akeyway 12 A- with which a spline (not shown) within the hub of the gear13 slidably engages. The gear 13 meshes with a bevel pinion 14 which issecured on a shaft 15, the shaft being journalledjadjacent the pinion 14in the bracket 16. The shaft 15 extends laterally through and isslidably'mountedlin the gear 35. The gear carriesa 'spline11 and theshaft 15 is provided with a complementary key-way 18 in which the spline11 slides, giving driving connection between the gear'35 and the shaft15, but permitting sliding movement of the shaft with respect to thegear. Thejgear 15 is provided with an elongated hub which is journalledin the rear portion of the frame I0."

Through the above construction it is possible to shift the rolls 45'and46 forward and backward in the plane of their axes and to raise orlowerthem in the same plane and at the same time accomplish the positivedrive of the rolls at the same speed that therolls I1, I8 are driven.

The side edges of th'e'carrier 53 are provided with rack teeth 82 andthe sleeves I2 are provided'with arcuate sectors 83 having teeth thereonmeshing with the racks, 82, the sectors 83 preferably being integralwith the sleeves, but at least'bein'g rigidly secured thereto. Movementthen of the carrier 53 to laterally shift the frame 49 and the rolls 45,46 turns the sleeves I2 and the framesjI5 carried thereby to adjust theangular position of the plane of the roll axes I1, I8 with respect tothe plane'of the axes of the rolls 45 and 46.

- The machine just described is primarily used forbending angle iron; Ifthe angle iron is to be bent to fit a cylindrical surface the centerpair of rolls 45,- 46 are adjusted vertically to the same level astherol1s I1, I8. The rolls 46 and I8 are moved away from the rolls 45 andrespectively. The angle iron is placedin the rolls eitherwiththelvertical leg .upward, as shownin Fig. '1, or with the verticalleg downward, as shown in Fig.3. 1 The surfaces A, B of the rolls I1, inFig. 3, and the correspondingand complementary surfaces of the otherrolls being used in the first instance and the surfaces B, C of therolls I1 and thesimilarfand complementary surfaces of theother rolls''bein g-used thesec'ond instance; In either case the"rolls}are thentightened through the intermediaryof"the"screws 2] and screw fil to'clamp against the angle." The frame 'wfcarrying'therdlls 45, GSare thenshifted horition 0f" the rolls would 'be"to"compress this flange andstretch the vertical flangelj Shouldthe horizontal-leg be-in theoppositedirection, the action would be to stretch the horizontal legwith com: pressive strain on ,the vertical leg, and in either event the-curvature "accomplished would cause the bent angle 90 to curve outwardto the left in a substantially horizontal plane with the vertical leg ofthe angle cylindrically curved.

Should there be a twist of the plane of curvature to the left of therolls downward or upward, a downward or upward shift respectively of thecenter set of rolls would tend to stretch the bottom or top of the angleas the case might be and restore the plane to horizontal.

Should it be desired to form a ring having frusto-conical anglesurfaces, the vertical shifting of the rolls to accomplish greaterstretch top or bottom as the case may be, is continued until the desiredangle is obtained.

In Fig. 5 an angle ring 9fl-D is shown which has been formed by passingan angle through the rolls as shown in Fig. l with the center rollsdepressed to establish a -60 degree cone angle, the position assumed bythe plane of the ring being indicated in Fig. l by the dash linessimilarly designated, it apparently being clearly evident that if thecenter rolls be so depressed the lower edge of the vertical leg of theangle will be stretched and thereby lengthened with the obviousresulting coning.

Fig. 6 and Fig. l correspondingly showthe angle ring Bil-E resultingfrom raising the center rolls in corresponding manner, and in Fig. 7 andFig. 2, and Fig. 8 and Fig. 2 the'corresponding resulting rings 9ll-Fand 9llG are shown.

It will be understood that the 30-60 degree angles shown in the drawingsare arbitrarily selected and that any angle from 0-90 degrees to -45degrees may be had by variation in the amount of raising or depressionof the center rolls.

It will also be understood that the center set of rolls may not be powerrolls, but it has been found that driving them is of obvious advantageparticularly where small diameter rings are rolled on where considerableconing is to be-eflected.

I claim:

1. In an angle bending machine, two roll sets spaced laterally apart,and a third roll set therebetween, each roll set comprising a pair ofcomplementary rolls, each having frusto-conical surfaces, said rollsbeing suitably journalled on parallel axes inclined in the plane of saidaxes at an angle of substantially forty-five degrees, means, eachmounting an outer said roll set for turning movement about asubstantially vertical axis and for restraining movement of said setalong said axis, means for supporting said central roll set with theplane of the roll axes-transverse to the plane containing the saidvertical axes of the outer roll sets, means for shifting said centralroll set horizontally in the plane of its roll axes, means cooperatingwith said shift- 'fihit o ,t rr nt y tical axes; means terrol'lsetfrelameainsfifordrivingall'ofjfsaidrollsi l a m an f e q i g nia bo v with lalnfl in whichonly' the'bu'ter Sets of rolls" are driveri/ Y I 3. In anangle bending ma frfijttvdroll sets "spacfld'latera'lly apart" arid hirdTroll set thereaboiit 7 said a, v

. q j ing'jan outer said about a substantially vertical axis and forrestraining vertical movement of said set, means for supporting saidcentral .set of rolls against turning movement with the plane of theroll axes transverse to the plane containing the said vertical turningaxes of the outer sets of rolls, means for shifting said central set ofrolls horizontally in the plane of its said roll axes, means cooperatingwith said shifting means for turning said outer sets of rollsconcurrently in opposite directions about said vertical axes, means forvertically shifting said center set of rolls relastaii' any tively tosaid outer sets of rolls, and means for driving said outer sets ofrolls.

4. An angle bending machine in accordance with claim 3 in which allthree sets of rolls are driven.

5. In an angle bending machine, two roll sets spaced laterally apart anda third roll set therebetween, each roll set comprising a pair of complementary rolls suitably journalled on substantially parallel axesinclined in the plane of said axes,said rolls having frusto-conicalsurfaces arranged in undulatory succession, means each mounting an outersaid roll set for turning movement about a substantially vertical axisand for restraining vertical movement of said set, means for supportingsaid central roll set against turningmovement with the plane of its rollaxes transverse to the plane containing the said vertical turning axesof the outer roll set, means for shifting said central roll sethorizontally in the plane of its 'roll axes,'means for verticallyshifting said center set of rolls relatively to said outer sets ofrolls, and means for driving said rolls.

6. In a machine for bending angle irons and the like, the combination ofa central unit, including a pair of cooperative rolls having axes lyingin a plane, and two complementaryside units, each including a pair of.cooperative rolls,

means for driving at least one of said units, and

independent means, for respectively forcibly shifting said central unitin the plane of said axes, in

two directions substantially at right angles.

7. In a machine for bending angle irons and the like, the combination ofa central unit, including a pair of cooperative rolls having axes lyingin a plane, and two side units, each including a pair of cooperativerolls substantially symmetrically disposed with relation to said plane,means for driving at least one of said units, and independent means, forrespectively forcibly shifting said central unit in the plane of saidaxes, in. two directions substantially at right angles. 1

8. In a machine for bending angle irons and the like, the combination ofa central unit, including a pair of cooperative rolls havingaxes outhelmet ga pair of comlying in a plane, and two side units, eachincluding a pair of cooperative rolls substantially symmetricallydisposed with relation to said plane,-:

means for driving, at least one of said units, and

independent means, forirespectively forcibly accomplishing relative{shift of 'said central and side units, in shift directionssubstantially fat right'angles and parallel to the axial planeof saidcentral roller pair.

9. In a machine for bending angle irons and the like, the combination ofa central unit, in-

cluding a pair of cooperative rolls havingaxes lying in a verticalplane, and two complementary. side units, each including a pair ofcooperative rolls having aiges respectively disposed inverticalplanessubstantially equally spaced on opposite sides of saidcentral plane, means for driv j ing at least one of said units, andindependent means, for respectively forcibly shifting said central unitin the plane of its axes in twodirections substantially at right angles.

- 10. In a machine for bending angle irons and the like, the combinationof alcentral unit, in-

cluding :agpair of cooperative rolls having axes lying in averticalplane, and two complementary side units, each including a pair ofcooperative rolls'having axes respectively lying in planes disposedparallel to and on opposite sides of said central plane, independentmeans for shifting said central unit respectively in two directionssubstantially .at. right angles, in said vertical plane, and means fordriving said rollers.

ROBERT A. GIFF'ORD.

